N.J. Senate President Richard Codey is life of party for Assembly Democrats

TRENTON -- Even as members of his own party seek to oust him as Senate president, Richard Codey is in high demand these days as a Democratic Party star on the campaign trail.

He’s stumped for Gov. Jon Corzine. And he’s constantly campaigning for Assembly Democrats fighting Republican challenges — even those who share districts with senators lining up against him in the battle for the Senate’s top spot.

"I’ve been doing this since I was governor," Codey said. "When anyone within the party asks, I’ll be there for them."

Mark Dye/For The Star-LedgerNew jersey Sen. Richard Codey works the crowd at a fundraiser for Mayor Eldridge Hawkins Jr. at Mayfair Farms in West Orange on October 23, 2009.

Codey’s campaign skills haven’t protected him from a coup orchestrated by North and South Jersey Democrats who are supporting Sen. Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) to replace him after the November election. Sweeney — backed by South Jersey political boss and Codey nemesis George Norcross — announced almost four weeks ago he has the votes needed to unseat Codey.

But even senators who threw their support behind Sweeney acknowledge Codey is a valuable asset in a campaign.

"It’s a whole different type of election," said Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen). "The leadership battle has nothing to do with how in demand he is with the electorate."

The two Assemblymen in Sarlo’s district, Frederick Scalera (D-Essex) and Gary Schaer (D-Bergen), have made heavy use of Codey, who has appeared in mailings and an online video advertisement.

"Codey is a professional," Scalera said. "No matter what might be happening to him, he’s always committed to helping Democrats get elected."

A Democratic poll conducted in Scalera’s district, the 36th, in July showed Codey and President Obama each with 65 percent approval ratings.

Although Codey has been in state politics for more than three decades, he is best known for stepping into the governor’s office in the wake of Jim McGreevey’s resignation in 2004. That storyline – Codey as the accidental governor, restoring dignity to an office tarnished by a sex scandal – is an essential part of his popularity, said Derek Roseman, spokesman for the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee.

"He brings a gravitas because of who he is and where he stepped up in the state’s history," Roseman said. "Senator Codey is one of the most widely recognized and respected Democrats in the state."

"I see him in 20-minute intervals," she said. "He’ll come in, then get changed, and go out. Or he’ll have dinner and then go out. He’s as ambitious as he always was."

Codey has shown no signs of backing down despite taking his lumps in the Senate.

Mark Dye/For The Star-LedgerSen. Codey hams it up for a photo with Orange Mayor Eldridge Hawkins Jr. at a fundraiser for the mayor on October 23, 2009."He could have brooded. Instead, he stepped away from it," said Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex), a Codey ally. "Regardless of what happens with the Senate presidency, he’s going to remain a significant force."

Codey said he’s still a candidate for Senate president, but insists he’s focused on campaigning for other Democrats, even it means suffering through a dinner of beefsteak during a fundraiser.

With Gov. Jon Corzine enmeshed in his own difficult re-election campaign, Codey is the highest-profile state Democrat regularly stumping for party members.

Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), whose late support for Sweeney might doom Codey’s chances to keep the Senate presidency, said Codey provides a respite from the vicious back and forth in the governor’s race.

"At a time when both gubernatorial candidates are attacking each other, it’s good strategy to remind people of better times in the state with a popular Democratic figure," Lesniak said. "It’s no different than President Obama or Joe Biden coming in (for Corzine)."

Codey, who has had his differences with Corzine, is also an important campaigner for him, providing a populist touch to the governor’s technocrat image. He subs in when Corzine can’t make an event and sometimes appears alongside him.

Codey said he might run for governor or U.S. Senate after finishing the final two years in his current term. If he does, the good will he builds as a campaigner could play an important role in his own election efforts.

"If he was interested in running for governor or U.S. Senate in the future, this would help him in that effort," Lesniak said. "One would hope and expect that people would be appreciative."

Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), who supports Sweeney for Senate president but expressed admiration for Codey, said Codey’s heavy campaign schedule works in his favor.

"He’s never been accused of being anything other than smart," Scutari said. "It keeps him in a position for other opportunities."

Codey said he’s not campaigning to help his own future prospects.

"We get calls everyday from candidates," he said. "I’m glad to help. I enjoy being with people."